Friday, 5 May 2017

May Visits 2017



OUTINGS AND EVENTS NEWS – MAY 2017
Salisbury & District U3A – www.u3a-salisbury.org.uk



SUDELEY CASTLE and GARDENS
Thursday 17th August 2017 – Booking Now

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle and Gardens has played an important role in England’s history for over 1,000 years.  The castle rooms and exhibits contain treasures from Roman times to the present day. Outside, the castle is surrounded by a breathtaking 1,200 acre estate and ten award-winning gardens.  The centrepiece is the Queens Garden because four of England’s queens – Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I – once walked on the original Tudor Parterre. The Pheasantry at Sudeley houses a collection of 16 rare and endangered species of birds from around the world as part of their  programme of breeding and conservation. Sudeley is also the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds: Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives lies in the beautiful 15th century chapel of St Mary.

Tudor history at Sudeley is rich – following the Wars of the Roses (1455-87), Henry VII granted the castle to his uncle, Jasper Tudor, who held it until his death in 1495 when, as he left no children, it reverted back to the monarch and became one of Henry VIII’s royal residences when he ascended the throne in 1509. He and Anne Boleyn visited in July 1535 when he met with Thomas Cromwell at Winchcombe Abbey to plan the dissolution of the monasteries, and Anne investigated the relic of Holy blood at nearby Hailes Abbey.  Following Henry VIII’s death in 1547 Sudeley passed to his son, Edward VI, who granted it to his uncle, Thomas Seymour. Thomas married Katherine Parr (Henry VIII’s 6th wife and widow) and moved into the castle with their ward, Lady Jane Grey. Charles I found refuge here during the Civil War (1642-46) when his nephew Prince Rupert established headquarters at the Castle. Following its ‘slighting’ on Cromwell’s orders at the end of the Civil War, Sudeley lay  derelict for nearly 200 years.  George III visited to admire its ruins. In 1837 Sudeley was rescued by the wealthy Worcester glove-makers, brothers John and William Dent, who began an ambitious restoration continued by their nephew, John Coucher Dent, when he inherited the castle in 1855. Sudeley is now the home of Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe and her son, daughter and their families who are committed to the continued preservation of the castle, its treasures and the ongoing restoration and regeneration of the gardens.

Exhibitions include The Six Wives Exhibition in the 15th century West Wing which houses replica Tudor costumes from David Starkey’s TV series The Six Wives of Henry VIII.  The Katherine Parr Exhibition showcases rare copies of original books written by Katherine Parr, the first queen to have her work published. The exhibition also features her love letters to Thomas Seymour and the eye-witness account of the discovery of her body at Sudeley in 1782. These, together with items from her tomb, help to illustrate David Starkey’s film The Life and Loves of Katherine Parr, Queen of England and Mistress of Sudeley, which is shown alongside the exhibition.  A special Tudor Physic Garden, part of the new Herb Garden Walk, has been developed to reflect the vast knowledge of herbal healing from many cultures over thousands of years as interest in natural remedies increases.

Cost:  £28 (£16.50 to HHA Friends) to include entry, coach and driver's gratuity.  Add £10 for an art tour (limited to the first 10 people to apply and unsuitable for those with mobility difficulties) to view paintings by artists such as Van Dyck and Rubens amongst others from the family’s private collection from 2:30-4pm or £5 for a garden tour (limited to the first 20 people to apply) from 2-3:30pm.  

Coach Pickups:  8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Salisbury Millstream Coach Park OR 8:30am at London Road Park and Ride. There will be a comfort stop en route. Our Grosvenor/Taylor's Coach will leave Sudeley at 4:30pm.
WADDESDON MANOR and CLAYDON HOUSE
Wednesday 26th July 2017 – Booking Now


Waddesdon Manor, in the Aylesbury Vale, was built in the Neo-Renaissance style of Loire Valley châteaux between 1874 and 1889 for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild (1839–1898) as a weekend residence for grand entertaining.  The Manor embodies an eclectic style:  the towers are based on those of the Château de Maintenon, and the twin staircase towers, on the north facade, although inspired by the staircase tower at the Château de Chambord, also featured the then unparalleled luxury of being glazed and ornate.  The structural design of Waddesdon was not all retrospective however. Hidden from view were the most modern innovations of the late 19th century including a steel frame, which took the strain of walls on the upper floors, to permit the layout of these floors to differ completely from the lower floors. The house also had hot and cold running water in its bathrooms, central heating, and an electric bell system to summon the numerous servants.

Once his château was complete, Baron Ferdinand installed his extensive collections of French 18th century boiseries, Savonnerie carpets, Gobelins and Beauvais tapestries, furniture, Sèvres ceramics, and books, as well as English and Dutch paintings and Renaissance treasures. Works were acquired for their exquisite quality and fine provenance. One of the highlights of the collection is the extraordinary musical automaton elephant, dating from 1774 and made by the French clockmaker H Martinet. Of the ten surviving examples of the Sèvres pot-pourri vase in the shape of a ship from the 1760s, three are at Waddesdon, including one with a very rare scene of a battle connected to the Seven Years' War. Other collections include Limoges enamel, arms and armour, maiolica, medieval manuscripts, prints and drawings.  The Grade I listed gardens and landscape park were laid out by the French landscape architect Elie Lainé and statuary, pavilions and an aviary added. The Proserpina fountain was brought to the Manor at the end of the 19th century from the Palace of the Dukes of Parma in northern Italy: the Ducal Palace of Colorno. 

James de Rothschild (1878–1957)  bequeathed the house and its contents to the National Trust and it is now administered by a Rothschild charitable trust overseen by Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild.

Claydon House looks fairly ordinary from the outside, a pretty but plain, classical box.  Step inside, though, and you are in one of Britain's greatest interiors.  Claydon was designed in 1757 for the Verney family by Luke Lightfoot, a genius carver of the rococo style:  the light, frothy, curvy designs that swept across Europe in the late 18th century.  This is fantasy architecture featuring birds, leaves, lions' heads, all carved with twirling joy by Lightfoot.  He also designed a heavenly Chinese Room, crammed with bells, pagodas and a Chinese tea ceremony room.  On show too is Florence Nightingale's bedroom; she was a relation of the Verneys.

Coach Pick Ups:  7:45am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8am at Salisbury Millstream Car Park OR 8:15 am at London Road Park and Ride.   We will have a comfort/coffee stop en route and arrive as Waddesdon Manor opens at 11am.  We will leave Waddesdon at 2pm to travel to Claydon House.  Our Grosvenor/Taylor's Coach will depart Claydon at 4:30pm for Salisbury.

Cost:  £24 to National Trust members to include coach, driver gratuity, and entry to both properties and gardens.  If you are not a National Trust member you will need to pay entry on arrival at each property. 


THE WATTS GALLERY – ARTISTS' VILLAGE
and LOSELEY HOUSE & GARDENS
Tuesday 20th June 2017 – Booking Now

Watts Gallery - Artists' Village, a unique Arts & Crafts gem nestled in the Surrey Hills, invites you to engage with history and art at the newly opened Watts Studios, and to discover the permanent collection of Victorian paintings and sculpture in Watts Gallery before visiting the De Morgan Collection, on long term loan to the Artists' Village.  Founded in 1904 as the only gallery in the UK devoted to a single artist, Watts Gallery offers a unique insight into the life and work of George Frederic Watts OM RA (1817–1904) and his Scottish wife, the designer and artist Mary Watts. Widely considered to be the greatest painter of the Victorian era, GF Watts was a portraitist, sculptor, landscape painter and symbolist, whose work embodied the most pressing themes and ideas of the time, earning him the title England's Michelangelo.  The Artists' Village carries on the Wattses' legacy of Art for All with its historic and contemporary galleries, working Artist in Residence, conservation studios, and an extensive learning programme. You may also like to enjoy a quiet moment at Grade I listed Watts Chapel and explore the woodlands and grounds before browsing art for sale in the Contemporary Gallery, along with a wide selection of gifts with 10% off for our group in the Watts Shop.  Please wear comfortable shoes as there is a 10 minute uphill walk to Limnerlease and Watts Studios, a 10 minute walk to the Chapel, and no wheelchair access.

Loseley House was built in the 16th century by Sir William More from honey-coloured stone reclaimed from the Cistercian Abbey of Waverley at Farnham and is still occupied by the More-Molyneux family. Features of the House include the Great Hall containing George IV’s coronation chair, panels carved for Henry VIII’s banqueting tents, and work by Grinling Gibbons, England’s finest ever woodcarver. The Drawing Room ceiling was commissioned for a visit by James I, the fireplace, carved from a single monumental block of chalk, is to a design by Holbein, the cushions on the maid of honour chairs are reputed to have been worked by Queen Elizabeth I, and the perfectly preserved 16c Wrangelschrank cabinet is inlaid with pear wood, pine wood, rosewood, beech and sycamore.  The hand carved bed and pelmet in Sir More’s room depicts a boar hunt.  Five centuries of portraits document the More-Molyneux family.  The 2.5 acre Walled Garden is divided into rooms including the main reason for our visit, the Rose garden with over one thousand Old English Rose bushes which should be in full bloom and scent, the Flower Garden, and the serene White Garden that contrasts spectacular, showy, blooms with lush yet subtle silver and grey foliage.  As well, there is the Herb Garden, the Organic Vegetable Garden planted with unusual varieties, the Kitchen Garden which houses Loseley's collection of Garden Organic Heritage Seed Library plants and, just outside the walls, the Wild Flower Meadow.

I am advised the public tea rooms at both locations are small and can get congested with long, slow queues at busy times so I am offering options for reserved morning tea/coffee and biscuits and a buffet lunch at Watts Gallery, and afternoon tea at Loseley to avoid the crowds.  You are, of course, very welcome to bring a picnic and/or to take your chances in the tea rooms if you prefer to purchase your own food or drinks.
Cost:  £30 (£21 with National Art Pass or £21.50 for HHA Friends or £12 with both National Art Pass and HHA membership) to include coach, driver gratuity, entry to both venues and a 45 minute tour of Loseley House at either 2:20 or 2:40pm (no free flow).  Add £3 to include tea, coffee and biscuits in the Old Kiln on arrival and/or £9 to include a 1pm Buffet Lunch at the Watts Gallery (sandwich platter with fruit selection, crisps, home made cakes and elderflower cordial or water) and/or £7.50 to include afternoon tea or coffee and two fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam at 4pm at Loseley.

Coach Pickups:  8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Salisbury Millstream Coach Park OR 8:30am at London Road Park and Ride.  Our Grosvenor/Taylor's Coach will leave Loseley House at 4:30pm.


WEST GREEN HOUSE GARDENS and THE VYNE                                                       
Thursday 11th May 2017 – Booking Now


West Green House Gardens, created by acclaimed garden designer and writer Marylyn Abbott, is one of England’s finest manor house gardens, marrying neoclassical style with contemporary design. Home to the West Green House Opera Season, it has been featured in The Telegraph's Best Walled Gardens to Visit, and seen on BBC2's Gardeners' World and Best Bakes Ever.  The Gardens offer four seasons of beauty, contrast and inspiration with a special and distinctive sense of place, as well as a touch of humour.  A grand water staircase provides a focal point to the Nymphaeum Fountain designed by architect Quinlan Terry. The magnificent Walled Garden, faithfully restored to its original lines, is entered through an arbour of wisteria. An allée of apple trees divides the elaborate potager featuring fruit cages, annuals and vegetables from the signature perennial borders.  Beyond the walls the Lakefield is carpeted in spring with fritillaries and daffodils and embraces one of England’s most eclectic collections of garden follies.  A path leads from the serenity of the lake to the Paradise Water Garden and contemporary Garden of the Five Bridges with a serpentine ribbon of Iris Sibirica crossed by chinoiserie inspired bridges. It meanders on through a woodland glade to the terraced Theatre Lawn surrounded by tall tapestry hedges.
The Vyne was built between 1500 and 1520 for Lord Chamberlain William Sandys, one of Henry VIII’s most trusted courtiers. It is an E-plan house of diapered red brick with stone dressings bought in 1653 by a successful barrister, Chaloner Chute, who commissioned alterations including a classical portico by Inigo Jones' pupil John Webb to the north front – one of the earliest for an English country house. Further changes were carried out from 1770 by Chaloner’s great-grandson John, including a remarkably dramatic classical Palladian staircase. There is a Tudor chapel with important contemporary stained glass (bring your binoculars to see the detail) and encaustic tiles (1512) from the Antwerp workshop of Guido de Savino, and fine linenfold panelling in the Oak Gallery, carved with badges and devices. There is a Gothick ante-chapel containing the tomb of Speaker Chute and a suite of drawing rooms with Rococo ceilings and Italian damask hangings.  The Vyne holds an inscribed Roman ring as well as a lead tablet that speaks of a curse on the one who stole it. JRR Tolkien was asked to comment on it as an expert on Anglo-Saxon history, including its connection to a mine fabled to have been dug by dwarves, and a few days after began writing Lord of the Rings. The grounds contain large woodland and a wetlands nesting site which is populated by swans and common redshanks. There are woodland, wetland and parkland walking trails. 
Cost:  £11.50 to include coach and driver gratuity.  National Trust Members enter both properties free.  Non National Trust Members will need to pay entrance at each property. 
Coach Pick Ups:  8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Salisbury Millstream Car Park OR  8:30am at London Road Park and Ride OR 9am at Amesbury at the bus stop by the car park opposite the library.  We will leave The Vyne at 4:30pm.





PAYMENTS, REFUNDS AND RECEIPTS FOR OUTINGS

From 10am At Meetings:  Cash or cheques payable to Salisbury U3A. One cheque can cover as many people as you like, separate cheques for each outing please. 

By Post:  If you can't attend the monthly meeting or prefer to book by post, please email Margaret  for a booking form.  Otherwise, please post your cheque with destination, your name, home and mobile phone numbers and pick up point on the reverse to Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG. 

Cancellations/Refunds: Full refund if cancelled more than one month before the outing. Cancellations less than a month before a trip are only refunded if we have a waiting list and can resell your place.

Refunds:  If you are due a refund, may I ask please that you do not deduct refunds from payments for other trips.  I will pay out refunds in cash or by cheque separately.  Accounting for each trip is so much easier if there is no cross-over in payments or refunds between outings.

Receipts:  No receipts or tickets are issued for Salisbury U3A trips.  I do acknowledge all postal bookings by email or phone call. 

Personal Record:  May I respectfully ask that you keep a diary note of your coach pick up point and time, that you have paid, and what you have paid for please.

Reserves:  Reserving outings in advance is no longer possible.  Outings can only be booked with a full payment and, if you can, a booking slip or a note giving all your contact details and coach pick up point. 


Any questions, or to cancel your place, or to change your pick-up point after booking:
Please contact Margaret at margaretvacha@hotmail.com or 01722 335586 or 07845 870512


SOME EXTRA TRIPS AND EVENTS
FROM OTHER LOCAL GROUPS

Our goal is to offer as much of all that is interesting, unusual and perhaps even adventurous to as many people as possible. If your organisation, group or society are  offering a trip or study day or event and you would like to fill your coach or boost your attendance, we are very happy to advertise your outing to our members at no charge.  No membership is required for any of the following.



SALISBURY CHAN GROUP
DAY OF MEDITATION IN LOWER BRITFORD
Sunday 7th May from 10-4pm

We will mainly sit, with some walking meditation, a few readings, a bit of gentle exercise to keep us from seizing up, and drink cups of tea. Please bring something to sit on if you have it, a reading if you wish, and some lunch to share.  Cost: A donation to cover the cost of the venue.  To book a place, or for any further information, please contact Henry Gray on 07766 464048 or mrhenrygray@mac.com 


COMPTON ACRES and RUSSELL COTES ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM
Wednesday 10th May 2017

Churchfields Garden Appreciation Group invite you to join them on their outing to Poole and Bournemouth.  After extensive refurbishment over the past ten years, Compton Acres on Canford Cliffs is one of the finest, privately owned gardens in southern England – the azaleas in particular should be spectacular just in time for our visit.  With views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and the Purbeck Hills, this is a garden not to be missed.  There is a Plant Centre for the purchase of rare and unusual plants, a Harbour View Cafe for lunch, and a shop.  After three hours at the gardens, our coach will take us to East Cliff in Bournemouth to the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, a fascinating place full of many interesting collections, furniture and art.  You can enjoy tea and cake in their tea room or step outside to enjoy a wander along the prom in the sea air.
Cost:  £23.50 to include coach, driver's gratuity and both entrances.  Please make your cheque payable to Churchfields Garden Appreciation Group, and print the destination, coach pickup point, your name, landline, mobile and full address on the back and send it with a SAE to Pamela Lampard, 10 South Street, Wilton SP2 0JS – 01722 743620 or 07415 045852 from 8am on the day.  Coach Pickups:  8:25am at Amesbury OR 8:40am at Wilton near the Avenue Roundabout OR 9am at Salisbury Millstream Coach Park.



JOHN SHILLITO BAND at SALISBURY JAZZ CLUB
7pm for 8-11pm on Friday 12th May 2017

People from four counties and beyond meet every month in the Stockman's Lounge at the Salisbury Auction Centre on Netherhampton Road, Salisbury SP2 8RH to dance or just sit back and listen to live jazz and watch the dancers.  Don't worry about coming alone as you are very welcome to join our U3A table.  Admission is £10 payable at the door and student card holders pay £5.  For more information or to be put on the club's mailing list, you can contact Wendy Lawrence on 01672 564241 or  lawrence@jazz4us.fsnet.co.uk  For a full list of bands appearing January to June 2017, the Club's website is www.southwilts.com/site/salisbury-jazz-club and the band's website is www.johnshillito.co.uk



U3A TEA DANCES
Fridays 12th and 26th May 2017

A Tea Dance is held on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at Harnham Memorial Hall SP2 8JH from 2:30 - 4:30pm.  Everyone is welcome – with or without a partner.  The more the merrier!   For more information, please contact Amr Singh-Garcha on 01722 327705 or amr.garcha@gmail.com


SECRET GARDENS OF THE CLOSE
1-5pm on Sunday 21st May 2017

The Friends of Salisbury Cathedral invite you to see and explore the Secret Gardens of The Close, an Exhibition of botanical art by the Salisbury Florilegium Society in Leaden Hall, and to enjoy delicious teas in the Bishop's South Canonry Garden.  £10 admission on the day.


GUNWHARFE QUAYS PORTSMOUTH
Wednesday 24th May 2017

Sarum U3A invite you to enjoy a day out at Gunwharfe Quays, Portsmouth and visit The Spinaker Tower, HMS Victory or the Mary Rose Exhibition, or you might like to enjoy the retail shopping outlet with many restaurants to choose from, or how about a boat trip around the harbour with views of naval ships, historic buildings and fortifications.  Cost:  £12 to include coach and driver gratuity.  Payment by cheque only (no cash) made payable to Sarum U3A Visits Account.  Please write your name, landline, mobile, email and destination on the back of your cheque and send it to Angela King, 13 Beverley Hills Park, Boscombe Down, Amesbury SP4 7LH – 01980 622069 or kingangela.6@btinternet.com.  Coach Pick Up:  9am at London Road Park & Ride.  The coach will leave Gunwharfe Quays at 4pm and arrive back in Salisbury at about 6pm.  


THE LASKETT GARDENS and HEREFORD
Thursday 25th May 2017

Churchfields Garden Appreciation Society invite you to join them on their visit to The Laskett Gardens set in four acres of idyllic Herefordshire countryside and the shared creation of historian Sir Roy Strong and his late wife, designer Julia Trevelyan Oman.  The Gardens include a rose garden, pleached lime avenue, orchard, herbaceous and prairie borders, topiary, and much more.  It will mean an early start but we will be stopping for a half hour at Dobies, Cirencester for breakfast/coffee and plan to arrive at The Laskett by 10:30am.  After the Gardens we will rejoin the coach for the short run to Hereford and free time to have lunch, shop, visit the Cathedral, Mappa Mundi and Chained Library treasures, or the Old House Museum, a 17th century Jacobean black and white house at the end of Market Place Square within the High Town, or anywhere else you choose.  Cost:  £30 to include coach, driver's gratuity and entry to the Gardens.  Please make your cheque payable to Churchfields Garden Appreciation Group, and print the destination, coach pickup point, your name, landline, mobile and full address on the back and send it with a SAE to Pamela Lampard, 10 South Street, Wilton SP2 0JS – 01722 743620 or 07415 045852 from 6:30am on the day.  Coach Pickups:  7am at Wilton near the Avenue Roundabout OR 7:15am at Salisbury Millstream Coach Park OR 7:30am at Amesbury.

 
AFTERNOON IN POOLE
Thursday 8th June 2017

Sarum U3A invite you to enjoy an afternoon visit to Poole to do whatever you choose:  shop, visit Poole Pottery, the local museum, or take a boat trip to Brownsea Island.  Poole has a large, natural harbour, the Lighthouse arts centre and Blue Flag beaches.  Coach pickup:  11am at London Road Park & Ride.  Cost:  £12 to include coach travel and driver gratuity.  Payment by cheque only made payable to Sarum U3A Visits Account.  No cash.  Please write your name, landline, mobile, email and destination on the back of your cheque and send it to Angela King, 13 Beverley Hills Park, Boscome Down, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7LH – 01980 622069 or kingangela.6@btinternet.com  The coach will leave Poole at 5pm to arrive at London Road Park & Ride at about 6:30pm. 


CREATING A WILLOW SCULPTURE WITH CHARLOTTE MORETON
Saturday 17th June 2017 from 10am to 4pm

Sarum U3A invite you to a Study Day in Laverstock Village Hall when Charlotte will teach us the techniques necessary to create a willow hare to take home.  All materials are provided.  Cost:  £45 – Please send your cheque made payable to Sarum U3A with your name, landline, mobile and email to Maureen Pardy, 35 Bishops Mead, Laverstock, Salisbury SP1 1RU –  01722 504295 or mpardy@hotmail.co.uk.


TETBURY – CHAVENAGE HOUSE and WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM
Thursday 22nd June 2017

Sarum DFAS invite you to join them on this outing.  Chavenage House is mainly 16th century on a site occupied since the 14th century. Briefly owned by Thomas Seymour and his wife Katherine Parr it passed to the Stevens family, supporters of Cromwell. The room in which Cromwell slept remains as it was in his day.  Colonel Nathaniel Stevens was implicit in the regicide of Charles 1 and, cursed by his daughter, he died soon after giving rise to a ghost story. The current family has been in occupation since 1891 and you will meet them on your guided tour.  Chavenage has appeared in numerous films and television series, most recently in Poldark as Trenwith and also last summer in the BBC serial The Living and the Dead.  We will see photos of some of the actors during our tour. Coffee on arrival and a sandwich lunch are included.

During our afternoon at Westonbirt Arboretum we will have a guided walk to learn about and enjoy the huge variety of trees and shrubs from all over the world. The major landscaping scheme which was the origin of the arboretum was started in 1850 and some specimens remain from this time. Further development is continuing. After our tour there will be free time to explore the woodland further, try out the tree-top walk which offers spectacular views across the arboretum, or visit the café or shop.

Coach pickups:  8am at Michael Herbert Hall in Wilton and 8:25am at Salisbury Rugby Club.  Return at 6:30pm at Salisbury Rugby Club and 7pm at Wilton. 
Cost:  £40 or £37 for Sarum DFAS Members.  Please send your cheque payable to Sarum DFAS to Janet Davies, 23 Albany Road, Salisbury SP1 3YQ with a SAE.  Please write your name, landline, mobile, email and coach pickup point on the back of your cheque and include any special dietary requirements for your sandwich lunch included in the price.


DARTMOUTH and RIVER DART CRUISE
Tuesday 27th June 2017

Another Sarum U3A invitation.  Dartmouth is a maritime town with a rich history situated on the River Dart.  On arrival late morning, you will have an opportunity to explore Dartmouth, have coffee and lunch before we join our River Cruise at 1:30pm for approximately an hour taking in Britannia Royal Naval College, The Greenway Estate home of the late Dame Agatha Christie and many other sights.  There will be an opportunity afterwards to have a further look around before we leave for home at 4pm.  Cost:  £31.50 to include coach travel, driver gratuity and river cruise OR £24 if you don't want the cruise.  Payment by cheque only made payable to Sarum U3A Visits Account.  No cash.  Please write your name, landline, mobile, email and destination on the back of your cheque and send it to Angela King, 13 Beverley Hills Park, Boscome Down, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7LH – 01980 622069 or kingangela.6@btinternet.com   Coach Pickup:  8am at London Road Park & Ride.  The coach will leave Dartmouth at 4pm to arrive at London Road Park & Ride at about 7pm.


ABBOTSBURY SUBTROPICAL GARDEN
Thursday 6th July 2017

Salisbury U3A Gardening Group invites you to join them on a trip to Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden at Weymouth.  A walled garden surrounded by a woodland garden, Abbotsbury is close to Chesil beach and separate from the site of the now demolished house in which its maker, Lord Ilchester, lived. The old kitchen garden is given a subtropical air by the palm trees but the real attraction is the lush planting in the valley garden which has some of the most extensive gunnera plantings in England.  Abbotsbury has been described as 'Probably one of the best gardens of its type in the world.'  Cost:  £19 including the coach, driver's gratuity and entry to Abbotsbury.  Please make your cheque payable to Alderbury and District Garden Association  and write your name, landline, mobile, email and pick up point on the back, and post it to Rosemary Nicholls, Mark House, Clarendon Road, Alderbury SP5 3AT – 01722 710260.  Alternatively, Rosemary will be offering places at our U3A Outings desk at our meetings on 3rd May and 7th June. 
Coach Pickups:  9am at Salisbury Millstream Coach Park and 9:20am at Alderbury Village Hall.


STONE CARVING COURSES
Have fun learning a new skill in a supportive environment and create something to take home

MONDAY mornings from 9-12 noon for 7 weeks
from 8th May to 26th June (exc Bank Holiday 29th May)
£205 + £45 Material

MONDAY evenings from 6-8.30pm for 8 weeks
from 8th May to 3rd July (exc Bank Holiday 29th May)
£185 + £45 Material

FRIDAY mornings from 9-12 noon for 5 weeks
from 23rd June to 21st July
£150 + Materials (dependant on project)

WEEKENDS (Saturday  9am 5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm)
May 20th and 21st 2017
June 24th and 25th 2017
£185 + £45 Materials.
Includes a light lunch and somewhere to camp if required, either in Salisbury
or on the farm near the studio, free of charge. Alternatively B&B is available.

For more courses and information visit www.grays-stone-carving.co.uk
Contact Henry Gray on 07766 464048 or info@grays-stone-carving.co.uk



FLYING A GLIDER AT WYVERN GLIDING CLUB, UPAVON
Friday 21st July 2017 from 4 - 8pm

Sarum U3A invite you to a Study Day during which we will take to the skies in a glider, accompanied by an instructor, for two flights of approximately 15 minutes or one longer one.  Cost:  £35 – Please send your cheque made payable to Sarum U3A with your name, landline, mobile and email to Maureen Pardy, 35 Bishops Mead, Laverstock, Salisbury SP1 1RU – 01722 504295 or mpardy@hotmail.co.uk.



9 DAY WINE TOUR TO MACON AND BEAUJOLAIS

Saturday 23rd September to Sunday 1st October 2017

Sarum U3A invite you to visit many vineyards to taste and maybe buy the wine, eat delicious food and enjoy the Maconnais region. 

We have visited central France previously but a little further south in to the Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape regions but on this tour we are keeping a little more to the north to concentrate on two specific regions. Our zone of interest is quite compact and the driving will be minimal we are aiming for quality and some outstanding culinary experiences.

We set off on Saturday and travel to Portsmouth to catch the 1445 ferry to Caen. On arrival in France we stop for our overnight (B & B) near Caen.

On Sunday we continue eastwards and then southwards to Macon and the Mercure Hotel on the banks of the River Såone where we will stay for six nights. The town centre is within fairly easy walking distance. We have dinner at the hotel this evening.

We begin our exploration of the region on Monday with a visit to Julienas and the Chateau de Julienas. Then it is time for lunch in Julienas at Restaurant Chez la Rose. In the afternoon we have a scenic drive to Chiroubles via the Col du Fut d’Avenas and a visit and tasting at Domaine Cheysson Chiroubles le Farges. We return to Macon for a free evening.

On Tuesday we set off to visit and taste at Moulin a Vent with, first a stop at Chateau de Pierreclos and then to visit Gerard Charvet. After free time in Chenas at lunchtime we are on our way back to Macon, we’ll stop at Chateau de Chenas for a tasting. This evening we’ll take a short stroll to another riverside restaurant, le Poisson d’Or for dinner.

On Wednesday our journey takes us northwards to the Pouilly-Fuissé district. Near Vergisson we visit Domaine Daniel Barraud. Next we drive southwards to Solutré-Pouilly to visit Domaine Jean Pierre Sève before retiring to the village to have lunch at La Courtille de Solutré.
We have a short ride back to Macon and our final visit of the day will be to Chaintre and Chateau des Quarts. Finally it’s back to the hotel and a free evening.

On Thursday we drive southwards to Mont de Brouilly to visit the historic and oldest vineyard in the area, Chateau Thivin. After this visit we pause in the village of St Lager for lunch and in the afternoon travel northwards to the Morgon area to visit Domaine Des Souchons. Our final visit will be to Les Maisons de Beaujolais at St Jean d’Ardieres where we’ll have a tasting then and early-ish dinner.

Friday morning we head off to Romaneche-Thorins to visit Le Hameau du Vin, Georges Dubouef’s  famous  and unique wine village , the first Theme Park about Viticulture and Wine. We’ll have lunch at the park.

We leave Macon on Saturday and head northwards  back to Epernay where we will have a refreshment stop at Champagne Castellane. We now continue to Ouistreham and have dinner and overnight at the Ibis Styles Hotel.

On Sunday we catch the 0830 crossing to Portsmouth. On arrival in England we make our way back West. 

Cost:  £895 includes all travel by executive coach, ferry crossing, 3*/4* hotel half board, all excursions and entrances, and Andy our tour guide.  To express interest, book, or for further information, please contact Maureen Pardy on 01722 504295 or mpardy@hotmail.co.uk

LAST MONTH'S SALISBURY U3A OUTING

TO THE WALLACE COLLECTION

What a wonderful collection of paintings, artefacts and furniture, all housed in one building just off Oxford Street. In room after room we were treated to beautiful and exquisite items. For paintings my eye was caught by the animals of Landseer:  a mare and her foal, and dogs shown with the dead game, birds and rabbits they had brought back. Then, of course, there was the famous Laughing Cavalier. For furniture there were exquisite cabinets and chairs all in perfect condition.  There were many items of Sevres vases and other ceramics comprising a unique collection. There were many miniature boxes with inlaid gold and enamel as well as wax miniature pictures.  Another room was full of weapons and armour and there was some armour to try on in the basement.  All this gives just a sample of what was on display.  Some of us were able to go into the inner conservatory where a life drawing competition was being filmed for an Art TV program. Eateries were found just around the corner from the collection.  All in all a wonderful day!  … Christine Hill

We really enjoyed this visit and my husband was particularly interested in the fabulous Armoury collections.
An added bonus was being offered entry into the Sky Arts Filming schedule in the restaurant area which, from an artistic point of view, was fascinating for both of us, being art lovers.  ...Sheila Mills

Super sunshine, beautiful Bentleys, richly scented gardens and fabulous architecture was all on hand as Colin pulled up our Taylor's coach on time and right in front of the Wallace Collection's front entrance.  Sue and I spent our day in and out of the Sky Arts filming of Portrait Artist of the Year in the Collection's glass-roofed courtyard and sculpture garden.  Celebrities wandered amongst us, including presenters Frank Skinner and Dame Joan Bakewell, artist Tai Shan Schierenberg, independent curator Kathleen Soriano, art historian Kate Bryan, and supermodel and actress Rachel Hunter as one of the three sitters posing for the competing artists – our favourite was a young man painting Rachel's portrait with concrete on copper to achieve amazing results and we look forward to Spring 2018 when the programme will be shown to see if he won and whether any of us are on television!  We topped off our day with time amongst more very beautiful people at Selfridges and treated ourselves to a cream tea.  A super day!  … Sue Evans and Margaret Vacha

  
HAPPY MAY EVERYONE!



WEST GREEN HOUSE GARDENS and THE VYNE                                                                                           Thursday 11th May 2017
Cost:  £ 11.50 to include coach and driver's gratuity.  National Trust members enter both properties free with a valid membership card.  Non National Trust members will need to pay entrance fees at each property.
Coach Pick Ups:  8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR 8:30am at London Road Park & Ride OR  9am at Amesbury bus stop by the car park opposite the library.
NAME ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 
LANDLINE …........................................................................ MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL …......................................................................................................... COACH  PICKUP ..................................................
Please complete and return with your cheque for £ 11.50 payable to Salisbury U3A to:                                                       Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG
THE WATTS GALLERY – ARTISTS' VILLAGE and LOSELEY HOUSE & GARDENS
Tuesday 20th June 2017

Cost – Please tick ONE of the following and please add carefully before writing your cheque: 
     £30 to include coach travel, driver gratuity and entry to both venues plus a 45 minute tour of Loseley House  

     £21 (with National Art Pass) to include coach travel, driver gratuity and entry to both venues plus a 45 minute tour                 
         of Loseley House 

     £21.50 (with HHA Membership) to include coach travel, driver gratuity and entry to both venues plus a 45 minute 
         tour  of Loseley House

    £12 (with National Art Pass and HHA Membership) to include coach travel, driver gratuity and entry to both venues
        plus a 45 minute tour  of Loseley House

 PLUS any or all of the following
     Add £3 for morning tea or coffee and biscuits on arrival at the Watts Gallery
     Add £9 for lunch (sandwich platter with fruit selection, crisps, home made cakes and elderflower cordial or   
           water) at 1pm at the Watts Gallery
     Add £7.50 for afternoon tea or coffee and two fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam at
           4pm at Loseley House

Coach Pick Ups:  8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR  8:30am at London Road Park & Ride.

NAME(S) ............................................................................................................................ 
LANDLINE …........................................................................ 
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL …......................................................................................................... 
COACH  PICKUP ..................................................
Please complete and return with your cheque payable to Salisbury U3A to:                                                      
Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG



WADDESDON MANOR and CLAYDON HOUSE
Wednesday 26th July 2017

Cost:  £24 to National Trust members to include coach, driver's gratuity and full entry to both properties and Claydon House Garden.  If you are not a National Trust member, you will need to pay entry on arrival at each property.

Coach Pick Ups:  7:45am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR 8:15am at London Road Park & Ride.
NAME ............................................................................................................................................... 
LANDLINE …........................................................................ 
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL …......................................................................................................... 
COACH  PICKUP ..................................................
Please complete and return with your cheque for £24 payable to Salisbury U3A to:                                                       Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG ______________________________________________________________________
SUDELEY CASTLE and GARDENS
Thursday 17th August 2017

Cost – Please tick ONE of the following and please add carefully before writing your cheque: 

     £28 to include coach travel, driver gratuity and entry   

     £16.50 (to HHA Friends) to include coach travel, driver gratuity and entry                 
       
 PLUS ONE of the following  if you wish:

     Add £10 for an art tour from 2:30-4pm and limited to the first 10 to apply and not suitable for those with mobility
        difficulties

OR

     Add £5 for a garden tour from 2-3:30pm and limited to the first 20 to apply

Coach Pick Ups:  8am at Michael Herbert Hall, Wilton OR 8:15am at Millstream Coach Park, Salisbury OR  8:30am at London Road Park & Ride.


NAME(S) ............................................................................................................................ 
LANDLINE …........................................................................ 
MOBILE .........................................................................................
EMAIL …......................................................................................................... 
COACH  PICKUP ..................................................
Please complete and return with your cheque payable to Salisbury U3A to:  
Margaret Vacha, 1 Grasmere Close, Salisbury SP2 8DG

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